Sprung

I guess we're back on course, Kohaku thought warily as grass gradually gave way to dirt and rocky ravines again. Just please no more tunnel worms, he prayed, taking note how fidgety Jaken was getting up ahead. Though the taijiya had the feeling it was their leader that set Sesshomaru's retainer on edge.

Naturally, Rin was the first to ask, "What's the matter, Master Jaken?"

"Don't you feel anything?" he muttered darkly.

Kohaku did. The afternoon sun beat down on Sesshomaru and his traveling party, but the dog-demon's yoki flared with equal force. At the nape of his neck, Kohaku felt the Shikon grow cool and icy, as if to ward off any possible threat.

Even though Sesshomaru didn't say a word, Kohaku noticed how he occasionally touched Tenseiga's hilt every so often, as if reminding himself. The boy got the gist this time. He's back to thinking about strengthening the Meido. Kohaku chewed his lip. You'd think going to Hell and back and losing the one person he cares about would be enough of an ordeal… His thoughts came to a sudden standstill with Sesshomaru's feet. Blocking their path was a strange child in servant's livery, his eyes as empty and void as the Meido itself.

"Lord Sesshomaru," he said in odd, off-key tones, "would you like to learn the secret of what Tenseiga is lacking?"

His eyes narrowing dangerously, Sesshomaru ignored the automaton's audacity in favor of his curiosity.

"Doesn't it bother you?" the boy puppet continued in a singsong tone, not waiting for permission. "Tenseiga's Meido has yet to form a perfect circle." He delivered the news with an insolent smile twisting his lips. It was enough to set Jaken off.

"Hey!" the imp snapped. "Just who are you? And how could you know such a thing?"

Sesshomaru silenced his retainer with a word.

"If you want to know, then follow me," the boy goaded.

Without a moment's hesitation, Sesshomaru followed. Kohaku took a second to double-clutch. Look first to Rin, then back at Sesshomaru…who kept walking.

"But Lord Sesshomaru it could be a trap!" Jaken cried. "They could be luring you out with Tenseiga's secret simply to kill you…"

"In that case, I'll just tear them apart." The simplicity with which the dog-demon spoke made the claim sound like a fact of nature. Something real and reassuring, as unbending as a sturdy oak. In truth, it was Sesshomaru betting on the greater of possibilities.

It's just overconfidence, Kohaku concluded. He knew the signs first-hand. His own father had often chided him for being careless, forgetting that his own chain could snap back on him. But then, the demonslayer reminisced, if he hadn't been cut at least a couple of times, he never would have learned to properly catch the kusarigama. And if Lord Sesshomaru bypassed this opportunity to grow stronger, they were all sunk.

Sometimes, even if you know it's a trap, you had to spring it.

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A/N: Inspired by LJ's iy_no_kakera prompt #98: Trap.